Michigan marijuana retailers got bad news this week when voters in four metro Detroit communities opposed new stores in their communities while Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana — a decision that could eventually hurt pot shops in southern Michigan.
Mike Wilkinson
Mike has been a reporter for Bridge Michigan since 2013 and focuses on data-assisted reporting, often finding stories by analyzing maps and data sets and has created Bridge's dashboards on COVID-19, the state's economy and Michigan's elections. He held similar positions at The Detroit News and The Blade of Toledo. A native of Michigan, Mike grew up in Macomb County, graduated from the University of Michigan and started his reporting career in New Baltimore before his career took him to Illinois, Tennessee and Ohio. You can reach him at mwilkinson@bridgemi.com
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Flint water cases doomed by missteps from Dana Nessel’s office, experts say
Eight years and millions of dollars later, investigations into the Flint water crisis will yield no trials for top Michigan officials. Legal experts say such cases are difficult, but Nessel’s office made several key errors.
Posted inBusiness Watch
UAW strike against the Big Three: A timeline of historic 2023 work action
The United Auto Workers union strike against the Big Three domestic automakers comes amid record profits and has grown significantly since it began Sept. 15. An interactive timeline traces the origins, details and context of the dispute.
Posted inMichigan Government
Which judges, courts impose harshest penalties for drunk driving in Michigan?
Use these maps and tools to find out which judges — and courts — are more likely to pursue driving while intoxicated cases, rather than a lesser charge of driving while impaired.
Posted inMichigan Government
Drunk driving penalties in Michigan vary depending on where you live
Michigan had 26,700 drunk-driving arrests last year, half of which result in plea deals for impaired driving. Harsher penalties are far more common in west Michigan than in metro Detroit.
Posted inTalent & Education
What Michigan State asked, and didn’t ask, in its review of campus shooting
In the aftermath of the Feb. 13 mass shooting, MSU encouraged an Ohio firm to focus on what the school ‘handled well’ in its response. It did not directly ask what failed. Experts say a warts-and-all review would have better served the university.
Posted inTalent & Education
Report on deadly MSU shootings offers little insight into campus probe
A new report outlines what Michigan State University can do to improve campus safety following a February shooting that killed 3 students and injured 5 others. But it offered few details into its 8-month probe.
Posted inTalent & Education
Outside report says MSU should improve security following deadly shootings
An outside consultant found MSU police responded appropriately during a deadly shooting in February. The firm said the university should make it easier to lock down campus, while adding cameras and better classroom locks.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Nearly four years into COVID, Michigan’s autumn looking far more promising
For three years, Michigan’s autumn has meant a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. This year, the rise and severity of the virus is looking far more benign, leaving far more room for guarded optimism.
Posted inTalent & Education
Chronic absenteeism in Michigan schools drops, but still higher since COVID
More than 3-in-10 Michigan students are chronically absent, missing 18 or more days of school during the year. See high absentee rates in your school district.